Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making - Tony Fadell
On the primacy of solving real problems
- "Customers need to see that your product solves a real problem they have today—not one that they may have in some distant future."
- "Every product should have a story, a narrative that explains why it needs to exist and how it will solve your customer’s problems."
- "Once you have a strong answer for why your product is needed, then you can focus on how it works."
On ideas
- "There are three elements to every great idea: 1. It solves for “why.” ... 2. It solves a problem ... 3. It follows you around"
- "If this idea is going to eat up years of your life, you should at least take a few months to research it, build out detailed (enough) business and product development plans, and see if you’re still excited about it."
- "The best ideas are painkillers, not vitamins."
On Customers
- "Understanding your customer—their ... is the foundation of your company. Your product, team, culture, sales, marketing, support, pricing—everything is shaped by that understanding."
- "You cannot make a single product for two completely opposite customers—for two different customer journeys. Not when you’re making technology. Or services. Or a store. Not even if you’re making dinner. It’s a hard rule."
- "Do not think you can serve two masters. No matter what you’re building, you can never forget who you’re building it for. You can only have one customer. Choose wisely."
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